Two More Fairy Steed Embroideries...

Brynwood Needleworks - Embroidery Detail

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying reading all your comments on my 10th Anniversary Giveaway post! I know you're out there, but having you leave a comment - especially those who say they love reading blogs - over Facebook and other platforms - really warms my heart. This is definitely a celebration that gives back to me much more than any of the gifts I'm going to share with you. Thank you again for being so wonderful!

I spent Thursday creating the two pincushion fronts for the fundraiser. The winning bidder will be able to choose one of these designs, and the other will go into my shop. The colors of the flowers are slightly different, as are the embroideries. They'll also choose how I'll fill it...crushed walnut shells, or lavender.

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed Embroideries

 

I especially love the nature of hand made, in that, it doesn't have to be the same every single time. I stitch the embellished flourishes freehand every time - I don't draw on the wools, I just start stitching and go where my muse leads me. 

This is only the third time I've added french knots to the embroidery, and I love how it adds a touch of whimsy to each piece. The other aspect, is that no two pincushions are ever exactly alike, so each one is truly unique.

Once the bidder has paid for the auction, I'll be donating back 100% of the winning bid. (I think I'm expected to deduct my costs, but I'm not going to.) This high bid was $70, and it's all going to the fundraiser. The clutch sold for $50, and I'll make that after I hear back from the winner. They get to choose the color Corgi I'll embroider, as well as the color of the base fabric for the bag. Once it's finished, I'll share a photo of that, too.

Enjoy your weekend, dear friend, and thank you again for entering my giveaway by leaving your beautiful comment on that post. If you haven't done so yet, just click on the celebration button at the top of my sidebar. I've found a few new items that I'm going to add to the giveaway list. I just might get to ten items for ten years! See you again tomorrow.

Needle Dancing For A Friend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion Detail

 

My paperwork is done and was mailed out yesterday. Yay!! I have two commissions to make, plus three special pieces (including a new Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion like this one). 

A friend's husband recently passed away from ALS, and a fundraiser was created to cover his final expenses. She is a member of "Corgi Nation" on Facebook, as she, too, has one of these lowrider dogs. 

I wanted to contribute, so I offered two clutches with corgi embroideries, plus one of these pincushion/sachets. (It will be up to the winning bidder to choose the filling.) They are paying for the item, plus postage. I'm donating the full amount of all bids, less postage, to the fundraiser as my donation.

I'm going to get this piece embroidered today, and then assemble it, minus the filling, until I hear from the bidder. Then, all I'll have left to do is stuff it, stitch it closed, and mail it off. It will be a true labor of love, knowing that the proceeds are going to help a friend as she grieves the loss of her dear husband. It's one small thing I can do to help ease her stress. 

 

I'm very grateful that the bidders have paid more than what I would have charged in my shop. (The high bidder - with more time to auction end - has pledged $75 so far for the pincushion!) The clutches are also bid over retail value. 

So, today, I shall needle dance for my friend. Tomorrow, I'll be celebrating a Brynwood milestone. I'll tell you all about it, and about a special giveaway I'll be having to celebrate.

Star and Stripe Gatherings Arrived...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings' Star and Stripe Gatherings

 

Preorders were for this line were placed in December when Lisa B. had her holiday open house sale. Everyone at the shop was getting inundated with inquiries about when the orders would ship, because Moda™ was delayed in getting out the fabrics - and everyone who got a glimpse of this line from Lisa's sample was anxious to get theirs. 

 

The most recent update was that they were expecting fabrics to arrive mid-March. I know what a pain it can be having to calm customers when you have no control, so I just watched my order status and waited. Well, I was so surprised when I went to the mailbox yesterday and my package was inside! I had the box in the car as I headed to my doctor's appointment, and had to wait until I got back home to open it.

I'd ordered the newest book, "Star and Stripe Gatherings", which is a 100+ page collection of beautiful patriotic projects. I also ordered a layer cake (10" squares) fabric assortment of the coordinating fabric, and Lisa included a free a fat quarter of one of the fabrics (to apologize for the delay). I also ordered three tea towels (1 each - red, navy and white) that will be embroidered with designs from the book.

When I got back to the farmhouse (with a clean bill of health!), I made a cuppa tea and sat down to look through the book. I know there are at least three projects I know I'll be making in time for Independence Day. Heck, if I can free up some time, I may even get them finished by Memorial Day! If you get a chance, you might want to go to Primitive Gatherings' website HERE, to see for yourself.

Today, I'll be in the garage, working on part of the weekend project for the kitchen. We've got a space heater out there, so it shouldn't be too bad out there. When I'm finished with that, I'll be back inside to start something else. I'll be listing more fabrics in my online shop, and then I have a special project to work on.

 

A Facebook corgi friend's husband passed away last week, and Corgi Nation is having a fund raiser to help her with her expenses. I've donated three of my Corgi creations to the auction, so I'll be cutting and fusing the components for one of my Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushions. I won't fill it until the auction ends, so the winning bidder can specify whether or not to use crushed walnut shells, organic cotton, or lavender buds. The other two donations will have to wait until the auction ends so they can specify their preference for which color dog they have (they're have a few choices). Never a dull moment at the farmhouse. 

Disclaimer: I have received no compensation, whatsoever, for writing about the products from Primitive Gatherings.

Pincushion Progress...

Embroidered Brynwood Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion

 

I completed all the embroidery for the current Corgi Pincushion. I decided to embroider it a little differently than I've done in the past, and I really like this one! 

 

I would have completed the assembly, but got sidetracked to complete two very special projects. I have a short deadline, so I had to squeeze them in before I got the pincushion done. I'll complete this one later today.

I have another bread-making class tomorrow, so I'll get this and the special project finished before I spend the day with my hands in flour. That class is called "Rustic Soups and Breads". Do you think I'm going to have fun? Count on it!

I'll share my finishes with you tomorrow, too, so I'd better get back to it. I love it when I'm busy!

Needle Dancing (Again)...

Fairy Steed Corgi and One Wooly Strawberry Pincushions

 

My giveaway winners chose their gifts, and I finished making all three yesterday. The Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion is heading to Lesley in the United Kingdom; a One Wooly Strawberry Pincushion is heading to Linny in Australia; and Danice chose a Wooly Strawberry Pincushion, too, which will ship to her in Alabama.

Thanks to Lesley and Linny for offering to receive theirs unfilled to save on shipping costs. I sincerely appreciate that gift from each of you. Danice chose lavender buds for her filling, and my studio was filled with its heavenly scent all afternoon.

All your gifts will post today, and I'll send each of you whatever tracking information I receive from the post office.

I've got a few cork projects next up (Thanks for your patience, Sherry!), and then I'm going to work on my Wooly Critters this weekend. I really need to add a small, comfy chair to the studio for days spent stitching. 

 

Happy Friday!

Sweet Treats - We Have A Winner...

Homemade Caramels - LOTS of Them!

Handsome and I taste-tested these delicious caramels (made by our younger daughter-in-law) recently, and she shared the recipe with me. So, I decided to make a batch on Saturday.

Ingredients For Homemade Caramels

I pulled out the ingredients (I had enough for four - eventual - batches), grabbed the recipe and got to mixing. I read the recipe out loud to Handsome before I started - reading 238º as the top temperature for the mix, and somewhere in the process, told myself 258º.

He called it "cognitive dissonance". I really saw 258º when I looked back at the recipe. So my first batch was a hot, hard mess. It made a delightful "thud" when it had cooled off enough so I could throw it in the garbage.

Cooling Caramel

I sat down, had a cup of tea and regrouped. Then, I started my second batch, repeating 238º to myself the whole time. I wasn't making that mistake again! The batch was beautiful when I poured it onto the cookie sheet.

Cutting and Wrapping Caramels

I started cutting the caramels with a kitchen scissors, but (thankfully) decided to try a pizza cutter. It cut like a dream and made quick work of the task of making bite-sized pieces. I wrapped them in parchment paper I'd cut into squares.

My British Tins For Storage

I grabbed two of my favorite British tins, which were quickly filled with tasty caramels. I've already shared some of them (the recipe makes quite a large batch), and will have more for sweet snacks here at the farmhouse, too.

Caramel Recipe From Meaningful Eats

 

This is the recipe our daughter-in-law shared with me. I looked it up and found it on Meaningful Eats blog (HERE).

What I learned from making (both) batches: 1) Start cutting caramels when they're still warmer than you think they should be. Makes it easier toward the end. 2) Use a pizza cutter. I started with a kitchen scissors, but the pizza cutter was SO much easier! 3) Don't be a perfectionist when you cut them. It will make you nuts. 4) Have your beautiful granddaughters (or your kiddos) around to help wrap them. 5) I need a digital candy thermometer for accuracy. 

 

I do know that I'll be making more of these in the future...after I get that digital thermometer. yummm

 

 

 

Time to name the winners of my Ninth Blog Anniversary Giveaway!   I drew three numbers (via Random Number Generator) initially  and the winner EVERY time was   LESLEY UK!!! (24, 2 and 15) You were meant to win, kiddo!   I decided to give away two more gifts, so I drew another number My second winner is  (11)
DANICE G!   The last number (and winner) is (7)   LINNY!    CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks again to everyone who entered.  Let me know which pincushion design you'd like. I'll make them this week.

Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Pincushion Detail

 Ordered from my shop...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Pincushion

 Created yesterday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Pincushion Detail

  and already on its way to a new home.
(I have more available in my shop, just waiting for you to choose your filling.)

Busy Stitching...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion Detail

I've been stitching all weekend. I created three new Woolen Strawberry Pincushions for my shop, and then I created a Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion that I had donated to a fundraising auction. ( I completed a second for my shop, too!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion Donation

In addition to the knowledge that I donated to a good cause, I was gratified to learn that the donor wanted my creation enough to earn it with her high bid of $75 for an item she could have purchased for $30 in my shop. I'm shipping it off to her today, and I hope she will use and enjoy it for a long time to come.

Nifty 50s today, so I'll be working on something new to share with you tomorrow. Wishing you a blessed day.

REMINDER: My shop sale ends Friday, July 15th. Use Coupon Code: VACATION15 to save 15%.
 

My Latest...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion Detail

If you follow Brynwood Needleworks on FaceBook, you got an early look at my latest pincushion design. If you're not in the group yet, please consider this a formal invitation.

I've had this idea percolating for a while. I knew what I'd be working on when I got to Nifty 50s yesterday. It came together pretty quickly, and I completed it when I got back home.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion

 

This one is listed in my Brynwood shop (in the "Pincushions" section HERE), and if this first one is gone, you'll still be able to get one for yourself. 

I'll be completing "Guitar Man" today, along with a couple other Retreat Bags (different designs) to go into my shop.